David Collins (hurler)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

David Collins
David Collins of Galway (left) holds off Tipperary's Eoin Kelly (right) in the 2014 National Hurling League
Personal information
Irish name Daithí Ó Coileáin
Sport Hurling
Position Right half back
Born (1984-03-17) 17 March 1984 (age 40)
Galway, Ireland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Nickname Davy
Club(s)
Years Club
Liam Mellows
Club titles
Galway titles 1
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2004–2016
Galway 46 (0-04)
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles 1
All-Irelands 0
NHL 2
All Stars 1
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 15:52, 22 August 2012.

David Collins (born 17 March 1984) is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a right corner-back for the Galway senior team. He joined the team in 2004 and has been a regular member until 2016.[1][2]

An All-Ireland medalist in the under-21 grade, Collins has been a stalwart on the Galway team for almost a decade. He has won one Leinster winners' medal, two National Hurling League winners' medals and one Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year award. He ended up as an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.

At club level Collins plays with the Liam Mellows club in Galway. Won a senior league with Liam Mellows in 2016 as a centre back.

Early life and education[edit]

Collins attended St. Joseph's Patrician College.[3]

Playing career[edit]

Club[edit]

Collins plays his club hurling with his local Liam Mellows GAA club in Galway. He has had some success at underage level, however, the club hadn't won a senior county club championship title since 1970 until Sunday 3 December 2017.

Inter-county[edit]

Collins first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Galway minor hurling team. He enjoyed little success in this grade but later played with the under-21 county side. He won an All-Ireland medal with the Galway under-21 team in 2005 following a 1–15 to 1–14 defeat of Kilkenny.[4]

By this stage Collins was a regular on the Galway senior team. He won a National League winners medal in 2004 as Galway defeated Waterford by 2–15 to 1–13.[5] Later that year he made his championship debut at centre-back against Down.

In 2005 Galway defeated both Tipperary and Kilkenny in the All-Ireland series to qualify for an All-Ireland final showdown with Cork. It was the first meeting of Cork and Galway in an All-Ireland final since 1990. Men from the west had never beaten Cork in a championship decider. Neither side broke away into a considerable lead, however, at the final whistle, Cork was ahead by 1–21 to 1–16. In spite of this defeat, Collins ended the year as the Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year.

In 2007 Collins was appointed Galway captain.[6]

After a number of disappointing seasons, Collins won a second National League medal in 2010 following a 2–22 to 1–17 defeat of Cork.[7]

In 2012, Galway shocked reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and won a historic Leinster title by 2–21 to 2–11.[8] It was Collins' first provincial winners' medal in any grade. He was dropped from Galway panel in 2016.

Honours[edit]

Team[edit]

Galway
Connacht

Club:

Galway Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2017

Individual[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Galway boss Hayes names strong side for Down date". Breaking News website. 23 June 2004. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Player profile: David Collins". Galway Hurling Supporters Club website. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  3. ^ Small, Daragh (24 March 2017). "The Bish are ready to be a force once again". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 March 2017. Ireland international goalkeeper David Forde honed his skills at the Bish, as did the new president of the GPA and former Galway hurling captain David Collins; and esteemed Irish rower, and two-time Olympian, Neville Maxwell.
  4. ^ "Galway Upstage Kilkenny Again". Irish Abroad website. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Galway cruise to League glory". Breaking News website. 9 May 2004. Retrieved 22 August 2012.Archived 2016-03-06 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Collins selected as Galway captain". RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Galway 2–22 Cork 1–17". RTÉ Sport. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Galway land historic Leinster win". RTÉ Sport. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
Awards
Preceded by Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year
2005
Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Galway Senior Hurling Captain
2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by Galway Senior Hurling Captain
2015
Succeeded by
Incumbent